Saturday's letters: Equal rights

Published: Monday, April 2, 2012 at 2:35 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, April 2, 2012 at 2:35 p.m.

Equal rights

To the editor: As a supportive mother of two gay children and two straight children, I am distressed at how ready some people are to justify denying my tax-paying, law-obedient, society-contributing gay children equal rights.

Marriage is known as a stabilizing force in society, so what's to be afraid of if more people want to marry? Why should some people feel we will be better off if a small segment is discriminated against and denied the right to legalize their loving relationship? My gay children can support their siblings' weddings but can't themselves marry. My son's male partner could legally officiate at my daughter's wedding, but could not marry my son.

Our N.C. Constitution clearly states "All persons are created equal," and "No person shall be denied the equal protection of the laws." The proposed anti-family amendment is both illegal and immoral. It removes equal rights from both gay and unmarried straight families. Our N.C. Constitution should reflect equality and fairness for all its citizens, not discrimination and intolerance against a minority group of people. Vote against this unjust, harmful amendment on May 8.

Suzanne Null

Brevard

Marriage debate

To the editor: According to an article in the Times-News, the anti-amendment folks have called in the big guns, i.e. California, to join in the fight to defeat the amendment we in North Carolina will have the privilege and right to vote on in May.

Does this mean the North Carolina anti-amendment group is so fearful that the residents of this great state want the amendment that they need help in their fight to defeat it? Personally, I prefer to have a vote that is not influenced by another state. If the citizens of North Carolina vote against it, then so be it. Let's not let Californians tell us how to vote.

While I'm at it, let me add that you should not be influenced by their propaganda or scare tactics. The amendment simply states that marriage is between one man and one woman. If that is your belief, then vote for the amendment. But I urge you, vote your belief, not some Californian's, and do vote in May.

Lou Ellen Lewis

Hendersonville

Tax questions

To the editor: Yesterday (March 22) while returning from a visit in Greenville (S.C.), I stopped for gasoline in Travelers Rest, where the listed price was $3.539 per gallon. Upon arriving in Hendersonville, I observed that the listed price at the local gas stations was $3.899 per gallon.

Quite a discrepancy. Are the roads and highways in North Carolina that much better than those in South Carolina?

In addition, at the risk of antagonizing Ms. Beverly Perdue, is North Carolina the only state in the United States that imposes a sales tax on food?

Hal Cantor

Hendersonville

Cherry-picking

To the editor: Some folks love to cherry-pick statements from the Bible to support their social, moral and political beliefs. But there are subjects mentioned in the Bible that these same people avoid bringing up, such as how we should treat the sabbath as stated in Numbers 15: "They found a man gathering sticks on the sabbath day … the Lord said to Moses, ‘The man shall be put to death.' "

Deuteronomy 21 tells us how to deal with unruly children: "If someone has a stubborn and rebellious son ... then all the men of the town shall stone him to death."

Or an example from King David on how we should treat our enemies, 2 Samuel 4: "So David commanded the young men and they killed them; they cut off their hands and feet and hung their bodies beside the pool at Hebron."

Of course, St. Paul tells us how we should treat women. 1 Corinthians 14: "Women should be silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak but should be subordinate."

Isn't it hypocritical to cherry-pick some statements from the Bible and intentionally ignore others, especially when discussing important topics such as homosexuality or abortion?

J. Graham Newton

Etowah

Marriage morality

To the editor: Concerning the upcoming marriage amendment proposal, I ask myself has the morality of the state of North Carolina dropped to the point where we need to vote on what is clearly right or wrong. John Adams, a Founding Father, stated in his address to Congress (Nov. 23, 1797) "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." Homosexuality is not an equality matter; it is a matter of morality. Legalizing same-sex marriage is a ploy to establish a loophole to make sin acceptable. And same-sex marriage is sin, just as murder, stealing, lying and other sins are, of which we do not legalize. Moral citizens do not attempt to alter their statutes and laws to make these sins acceptable, nor should we condone homosexuality, any more than other sins. But to go further, anyone who remains silent on the acceptance of sin is to justify sin, and to justify sin or any wickedness is an abomination, which is a sin in of itself.

To the editor: Growing up in Georgia, I saw North Carolina as a much more progressive state.

Now N.C. is matching Georgia for backwardness. The proposed constitutional amendment on marriage would put our beloved state in reverse. The amendment is poorly written. It has harmful unintended consequences. But this is clear: It would ban legal recognition for all unmarried couples, including seniors, strip protections and benefits from families across our state, hurt our business climate and economic development and put our children in danger. Love your neighbor as you love yourself and vote against Amendment 1 in the May 8 primary.

The Rev. Ken Kinnett

Flat Rock

St. George's Day

To the editor: The dear lady from England wondered why we don't celebrate a St. George's Day as we do a St. Patrick's Day. First of all, there are no saints that are celebrated by America. It is the Irish Americans who celebrate the day.

There are a lot of saints that could be celebrated if the associated people would put together such events. For instance, St. Andrew is given his day by the Scots, Russians, Romanians, Ukrainians and others. St. George is not only the patron saint of England but of at least 15 other countries. So, dear lady, start a sort of crusade in this country to celebrate St. George. And instead of this fine newspaper using space to write about the saint, perhaps they can suggest that people go online and read all about the man — slaying dragons and other myths that go along with St. George.

Your flag has in it the cross of St. George, the cross of St. Andrew and the cross of St. Patrick.

Welcome to the USA these 40 years.

Capt. E.M. "Rob" Robinson

American Airlines retired

Hendersonville

Silent prayer

To the editor: There is a banner in a Colorado church which says, "Preach the gospel at all times, but only if you must, use words." I've been unable to find the author or source of this quote; perhaps it was St. Francis of Assisi.

Board Chairman Thompson states that 14 percent of nonbelievers in God are running the country and forcing the law on the rest of the population. (Not a direct quote.) However, the separation of church and state is clearly delineated for all of us.

I believe that I am a strong Christian. It is very easy for me to put myself in the shoes of non-believers and of those who believe differently than I do.

The commissioners represent all of us, and their duty is to do so fairly and equally and to abide by the law. May I recommend silent prayers, perhaps at the flagpole but better yet in their hearts as they go about the business of government.

<p>Equal rights</p><p>To the editor: As a supportive mother of two gay children and two straight children, I am distressed at how ready some people are to justify denying my tax-paying, law-obedient, society-contributing gay children equal rights.</p><p>Marriage is known as a stabilizing force in society, so what's to be afraid of if more people want to marry? Why should some people feel we will be better off if a small segment is discriminated against and denied the right to legalize their loving relationship? My gay children can support their siblings' weddings but can't themselves marry. My son's male partner could legally officiate at my daughter's wedding, but could not marry my son.</p><p>Our N.C. Constitution clearly states "All persons are created equal," and "No person shall be denied the equal protection of the laws." The proposed anti-family amendment is both illegal and immoral. It removes equal rights from both gay and unmarried straight families. Our N.C. Constitution should reflect equality and fairness for all its citizens, not discrimination and intolerance against a minority group of people. Vote against this unjust, harmful amendment on May 8.</p><p>Suzanne Null</p><p>Brevard</p><p>Marriage debate</p><p>To the editor: According to an article in the Times-News, the anti-amendment folks have called in the big guns, i.e. California, to join in the fight to defeat the amendment we in North Carolina will have the privilege and right to vote on in May. </p><p>Does this mean the North Carolina anti-amendment group is so fearful that the residents of this great state want the amendment that they need help in their fight to defeat it? Personally, I prefer to have a vote that is not influenced by another state. If the citizens of North Carolina vote against it, then so be it. Let's not let Californians tell us how to vote.</p><p>While I'm at it, let me add that you should not be influenced by their propaganda or scare tactics. The amendment simply states that marriage is between one man and one woman. If that is your belief, then vote for the amendment. But I urge you, vote your belief, not some Californian's, and do vote in May.</p><p>Lou Ellen Lewis</p><p>Hendersonville</p><p>Tax questions</p><p>To the editor: Yesterday (March 22) while returning from a visit in Greenville (S.C.), I stopped for gasoline in Travelers Rest, where the listed price was $3.539 per gallon. Upon arriving in Hendersonville, I observed that the listed price at the local gas stations was $3.899 per gallon. </p><p>Quite a discrepancy. Are the roads and highways in North Carolina that much better than those in South Carolina?</p><p>In addition, at the risk of antagonizing Ms. Beverly Perdue, is North Carolina the only state in the United States that imposes a sales tax on food?</p><p>Hal Cantor</p><p>Hendersonville</p><p>Cherry-picking</p><p>To the editor: Some folks love to cherry-pick statements from the Bible to support their social, moral and political beliefs. But there are subjects mentioned in the Bible that these same people avoid bringing up, such as how we should treat the sabbath as stated in Numbers 15: "They found a man gathering sticks on the sabbath day … the Lord said to Moses, 'The man shall be put to death.' "</p><p>Deuteronomy 21 tells us how to deal with unruly children: "If someone has a stubborn and rebellious son ... then all the men of the town shall stone him to death."</p><p>Or an example from King David on how we should treat our enemies, 2 Samuel 4: "So David commanded the young men and they killed them; they cut off their hands and feet and hung their bodies beside the pool at Hebron."</p><p>Of course, St. Paul tells us how we should treat women. 1 Corinthians 14: "Women should be silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak but should be subordinate."</p><p>Isn't it hypocritical to cherry-pick some statements from the Bible and intentionally ignore others, especially when discussing important topics such as homosexuality or abortion?</p><p>J. Graham Newton</p><p>Etowah</p><p>Marriage morality</p><p>To the editor: Concerning the upcoming marriage amendment proposal, I ask myself has the morality of the state of North Carolina dropped to the point where we need to vote on what is clearly right or wrong. John Adams, a Founding Father, stated in his address to Congress (Nov. 23, 1797) "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." Homosexuality is not an equality matter; it is a matter of morality. Legalizing same-sex marriage is a ploy to establish a loophole to make sin acceptable. And same-sex marriage is sin, just as murder, stealing, lying and other sins are, of which we do not legalize. Moral citizens do not attempt to alter their statutes and laws to make these sins acceptable, nor should we condone homosexuality, any more than other sins. But to go further, anyone who remains silent on the acceptance of sin is to justify sin, and to justify sin or any wickedness is an abomination, which is a sin in of itself.</p><p>"Righteousness exalteth a nation." Therefore, ethical Americans, who adhere to virtuous ideals, must fulfill their moral duty and oppose same-sex marriage.</p><p>Robert R. Hebb</p><p>Hendersonville</p><p>Going backward</p><p>To the editor: Growing up in Georgia, I saw North Carolina as a much more progressive state.</p><p>Now N.C. is matching Georgia for backwardness. The proposed constitutional amendment on marriage would put our beloved state in reverse. The amendment is poorly written. It has harmful unintended consequences. But this is clear: It would ban legal recognition for all unmarried couples, including seniors, strip protections and benefits from families across our state, hurt our business climate and economic development and put our children in danger. Love your neighbor as you love yourself and vote against Amendment 1 in the May 8 primary.</p><p>The Rev. Ken Kinnett</p><p>Flat Rock</p><p>St. George's Day</p><p>To the editor: The dear lady from England wondered why we don't celebrate a St. George's Day as we do a St. Patrick's Day. First of all, there are no saints that are celebrated by America. It is the Irish Americans who celebrate the day.</p><p>There are a lot of saints that could be celebrated if the associated people would put together such events. For instance, St. Andrew is given his day by the Scots, Russians, Romanians, Ukrainians and others. St. George is not only the patron saint of England but of at least 15 other countries. So, dear lady, start a sort of crusade in this country to celebrate St. George. And instead of this fine newspaper using space to write about the saint, perhaps they can suggest that people go online and read all about the man — slaying dragons and other myths that go along with St. George.</p><p>Your flag has in it the cross of St. George, the cross of St. Andrew and the cross of St. Patrick.</p><p>Welcome to the USA these 40 years.</p><p>Capt. E.M. "Rob" Robinson</p><p>American Airlines retired</p><p>Hendersonville</p><p>Silent prayer</p><p>To the editor: There is a banner in a Colorado church which says, "Preach the gospel at all times, but only if you must, use words." I've been unable to find the author or source of this quote; perhaps it was St. Francis of Assisi.</p><p>Board Chairman Thompson states that 14 percent of nonbelievers in God are running the country and forcing the law on the rest of the population. (Not a direct quote.) However, the separation of church and state is clearly delineated for all of us.</p><p>I believe that I am a strong Christian. It is very easy for me to put myself in the shoes of non-believers and of those who believe differently than I do. </p><p>The commissioners represent all of us, and their duty is to do so fairly and equally and to abide by the law. May I recommend silent prayers, perhaps at the flagpole but better yet in their hearts as they go about the business of government.</p><p>Anne Cain</p><p>Hendersonville</p>